“Prayer Is How I Breathe”

centering prayer poetry steven charleston wisdom tree wednesday wtc Jun 03, 2026

"Sister Mary Rose Bumpus (our Year Two Instructor and Supervisor) read this meditation on prayer in class this week from Steven Charleston, who is an Indigenous Elder and retired Episcopal bishop. WTC thought you might enjoy it, too." ~Kasey Hitt, Co-Founder of WTC School of Spiritual Direction.

“Prayer Is How I Breathe”

People have asked me, since I pray so much

Do I ever get discouraged or doubtful

Because not all my prayers are answered.

No, and for lots of reasons.

For me, prayer is not a gumball machine

Where I put in my quarter and take out my prize.

Because I am not a puppet on a string

I cannot pull on that string to get some attention.

The natural state of prayer is mystery.

I only know that I am born into a life

Where I am fragile and finite.

I believe there is a conscious presence

Around me that cares for me.

I offer my thanks and my hopes.

I feel and see the response.

The response is always loving.

So prayer is how I breathe: Spirit is the air.

Charleston, Steven. Spirit Wheel: Meditations from an Indigenous Elder. Minneapolis, MN: Broadleaf Books, 2023, p.

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